Gift of Jazz — Chie Imaizumi Little Big Band

Gift of Jazz proudly presents a grand reunion show with Chie Imaizumi and Randy Brecker at Dazzle at the Performing Arts Complex two nights, two sets – Wednesday, September 27, and Thursday, September 28 at 6:30 pm and 9 pm.

Praised for her unique compositions and explosive energy, Japanese composer Chie Imaizumi has been a friend of the Jazz community in Denver for a long time. She creates music at the very top level, composing for Randy Brecker and Greg Gisbert, who will be part of these shows, as well as the US Air Force Falconaires and their Concert Band, Japan Air Self Defense Force Concert Band, and the Consulate General of Japan. She has worked on music preparation for John Clayton, Quincy Jones, Diana Krall, Paul McCartney, Leon Russell, as well as Jennifer Lopez. She has also orchestrated music for the recent Whitney Houston movie “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.”

Chie stopped to chat with Kim Berry on Tuesday, 9/26/2023

When Chie lived in Denver, she formed a “little big band” that recorded her first album of original pieces entitled “Unfailing Kindness”. Her compositions are very personal, each telling a story of her unique journey and experiences, which she shares with the audience. Facing many challenges as a woman in Japan trying to succeed in a “man’s world,” Gift of Jazz and the Denver Jazz scene helped support Chie’s roots when she moved here. Chie was one of the very first educators for Gift of Jazz’s adult education classes, and she won our hearts from the start. This two-night, four-show gig represents her first return to Denver as a Little Big Band since moving to Los Angeles. Chie is extremely excited to be presenting her music with a group of musicians so near and dear to her.

Randy Brecker holds 7 Grammys for the music made with his brother Michael as the Brecker Brothers. As a trumpeter and composer, Randy Brecker has helped shape the sound of jazz, R&B and rock for more than four decades. His trumpet and flugelhorn performances have graced hundreds of albums by a wide range of artists from James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen and Parliament/Funkadelic to Frank Sinatra, Steely Dan, Jaco Pastorius and Frank Zappa.

Local phenom Greg Gisbert on trumpet has his whole heart in this project. Greg organized the coming together with Chie and Randy Brecker, fulfilling their dreams of playing together again. Playing on both of Chie’s albums and producing her first, Greg’s playing brings the emotional effect of the music even higher. With both Randy and Greg, supported by a stellar “little big band,” these concerts will leave their mark for years to come. To quote local writer Norman Provizer, “If you can depart after hearing a set of Imaizumi’s music without joy in your heart and swing in your head, you need to check yourself for a pulse,” from Rocky Mountain News.

Performers:
Chie Imaizumi
Randy Brecker
Greg Gisbert
Pete Olstad
Zach Rich
Paul Romaine
Mark Simon
Mike Abbott
Sonya Walker
Leo Corona
David Bernot
John Gunther
Allison Young

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